UCSD Community Celebrates Fox’s Inauguration

By Heather Holliday I March 7, 2005

More than a thousand faculty, staff, students and university supporters streamed onto RIMAC field at noon Thursday to nosh on barbeque and celebrate Marye Anne Fox’s inauguration as the seventh chancellor of UCSD.

Employees enjoyed a buffet lunch of hamburgers, chicken, baked beans, macaroni and potato salad. They then grabbed a seat at a festively decorated table, or picnicked on the grass. As lunch got started, Fox took to the stage, where she thanked everyone for supporting her. “You are the heart and soul of the university,” she said. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for welcoming me to UCSD.”

Click on arrow to see photo gallery of picnic Photos by Kevin Walsh

UCSD students honored the chancellor with the gift of art, made especially for her. Jacque Fowler, from the UCSD Staff Association, welcomed Fox with a UCSD blazer, and said, "We hope you will wear it with pride." Fowler also announced the naming of a $500 annual scholarship in Fox's name, which will be awarded to a staff member for employee development.

Attendees cited Fox's down-to-earth personality and active outreach to the UCSD community as reasons they came to support her as she officially embarks on her journey as chancellor.

"She really wants to work with students, staff and faculty to make UCSD a top-ranking university," said Jocelyn Pacheco, of the structural engineering department. "She's putting her vision to practice and wants to address our concerns. She's been active on campus and has really been making an effort to become part of the UCSD community."

Dr. Nina Rosoff, a San Diego community member who came to support the new chancellor	Nancy Magpusao, Jocelyn Pacheco (back row, left to right), Lily Rivera, Maria Aranda (front row, left to right) are all staff members	Bob Moore, of the construction crew of Facilities Maintenance

Nancy Magpusao, with the Cross-Cultural Center, said she is also excited about Fox's engagement with campus. "She is interested in getting feedback from the community," she said. "She has a willingness to sit down with people from the community centers. And I am impressed with her reaching out to outside constituents in San Diego."

Bob Moore, with the construction crew of Facilities Maintenance, also said he was impressed by how dedicated Fox is to staff and students. "She has really shown that she follows through on what she promises," he said, adding that he wanted to support Fox in achieving the goal of achieving the extraordinary. "We're all working towards that goal," he said.